There’s something magical about making an intentional decision to just “be.” To purposefully cease “doing” in favor of being in the moment is evolutionary—it’s a departure from a lifetime of hardwired actions.
There are times when it’s simply not a choice. When “doing” isn’t possible due to illness or injury, our bodies reject the very idea of getting stuff done, crossing tasks off the list, or anything else that even sounds productive. Meanwhile, the brain gets caught in a loop of frustration, and “where there’s a will, there’s a way” is rendered meaningless.
This was me a week or so ago. After a ten-day visit to Chicago to help out with our newest grandchild, my body crashed as I was hit with a virus of unspecified origin or classification. Four negative COVID tests and a flu test later, the doc at the MediClinic pronounced “Looks like you have a virus.” (thanks, doc).
It was a week of limited sleep and lots of activity.
Observing my life for those less than happy, less than productive and less than healthy days, I observed the following:
- When doing is not an option: Hold onto BEING like a best friend.
- Honor where you are and accept your inability to do much more than swallow Tylenol and find a semi-comfortable place on the couch or bed.
- Forget the macho bullshit of “I can muscle my way through this.” It’s nonsense.
- Embrace, to the extent possible, your current state. If you cannot embrace it, try a simple nod of acceptance.
- Observe your state of mind when you’re able to embrace and accept the situation. Notice whether you are more at peace. (I was, albeit it was a hard-fought battle to get there.)
There are lessons to be learned from all situations. Especially the ones that push us out of our comfort zones, our routines, and most of all, out of our limited beliefs about who we are.
Thoughts?